Study and Purpose: The study was of corporate women in America. This study carried by McKinsey and Company (2021), focused on the serious disproportionately high barriers black women go through in the workplace. The emphasis of the study is to realize racial equity at the workplace to ensure adequate representation of black women.
Key Findings: “The study found that black women are excluded from leadership positions since black women are promoted at a significantly lower rate than white women at the first step up to manager.
A key factor of the study is that more than a quarter of black women say their race has led to them missing out on an opportunity to advance. Compared to other diverse groups of women, black women experience more microaggressions and are three to four times as likely as white women to be subjected to disrespectful and “othering” comments and behavior. More than 60 percent of Black women have been personally affected by racial trauma in 2020.
Conclusion: Racial equity is key to ensure diversity and inclusion at the work place as part of accelerating gender equality and productivity, however, it is evident that companies still lag in terms of enhancing racial equity.
Data Facts:
- Due to continued racism and bias on a regular basis at work, black women are relatively pessimistic about their company’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Black women stand and are more likely to speak out against bias and discrimination at work than other women of colour. Thereby, facilitating change to enhance equity.
iSAW Sharp Summary
McKinsey & Company in partnership with Lean In
